Autonomo status – the registration to work and pay tax as a freelance worker.

Tips for getting the job done:

Make an appointment – cita previa – online before showing up at the office.

Take a book and a full phone battery. Do not take your children if you can avoid it.

Take a translator or friend who speaks the language (if you don’t).

Double and triple check that you have every document that could possibly be required. Often, you will need to make the copies in advance yourself. Take everything, even if you don’t think you’ll need it.

Expect to be fobbed off at every turn and go prepared (see video above). Often it seems like a game where their objective is just to get rid of you. Calm insistence often pays off.

Don’t leave until you either have the document you require, or a bullet point list of what you need to do next. Don’t let them rush you out.

Once you’ve got your documents, scan them and make copies to keep somewhere safe. It will save you a giant headache if you lose them.

So take a deep breath, download the Google Translate app, and get started!